I can paint?

I’ve always wanted to paint. Maybe that’s why Janie is a painter/art historian. One of my favorite classes in college was Art Appreciation. There is one small problem. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler. Still, I needed to know how to paint to write some of Janie’s scenes. My paintings didn’t have to actually look good. I just needed to know how to do it.

When I found an acrylic landscape class at my local craft store, I jumped at the chance. Imagine my surprise when it turned out I was actually good. The painting on the right is my first. It proudly hangs above my desk.

There are few straight lines in nature. What was supposed to be a one shot deal so I could write Janie’s scenes, quickly became a monthly thing. I even managed to paint my alpha beta a painting so she can always have fall no matter where she goes. You can see my paintings by clicking here.

My Kids and Art

One of the joys of being a parents is exposing your children to things. Art is very important to both my daughters, The top painting was done by my oldest when she went to art class with me. The bottom is done by my youngest at home.

When my youngest was four, I took my children to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. This wasn’t their first trip to an art museum. My youngest stood in front of Copley’s “Watson and the Shark” and dissected it to a group of stunned adults. “First the eye goes there, Mommy, because it is so bright. Then it travels up this sharp thingie...” I used this in The Mark of Abel.

My oldest makes her own comics and her sister is following in her footsteps. I don’t know who uses more paper, me for printing out my writing or them for all their drawings.

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When I get stuck, I cruise the net looking for inspiration. Below are just a few of my favorite paintings. If you have buckets of free time, click on the artists’ names to visit their sites. If you don’t have time, borrow some.